Zero Waste Detroit

July 9th, 2015

Zero Waste Detroit (ZWD) is a collaborative of over twenty community, environmental and environmental justice organizations in the City of Detroit that has been in existence since 2007.  ZWD's goal is to move the City of Detroit to a solid waste management system that captures the value of the waste stream–recycling–thereby avoiding the incineration of that waste, with all of the negative economic and environmental consequences associated with that form of "problem solving."

The good news is that curbside recycling is now available throughout Detroit. However, the city requires households to purchase their own recycling container at $25/cart in order to participate in the program. Many families in Detroit simply can't afford such an expense. As a result, ZWD has created a fund to provide recycling carts to as many households as possible.

As citizens with a long-standing commitment to recycling and waste minimization, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County residents have an opportunity to support Detroit's efforts to make recycling successful. If you are willing to contribute to ZWD's recycling cart donation program, please make your checks payable to the Michigan Environmental Council, and write "Detroit Cart Donation Program" in the memo section. 100% of your gift will go toward the purchase of recycling carts in the City of Detroit. Checks can be sent to the MEC at 602 W. Ionia Street, Lansing, Michigan, 48933.

Recycling finally has a foothold in the City of Detroit.  Let's do what we can as supportive neighbors to help ZWD fulfill its mission of empowering recovery and citizen involvement in Michigan's beloved Motown. For more information on ZWD's efforts, please visit Zero Waste Detroit’s website.